MADUAKO IGBOKWE l Monday, May 18, 2020
AWKA, Anambra, Nigeria – Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Anambra state has frowned at the Governor of the state, chief Willie Obiano cliams that the state is free of coronavirus. The party said that the state government cannot claim that Anambra state is free of COVID-19 when it has no testing centre to ascertain it’s status.
The party made this known in a statement released by its publicity secretary chief Nnamdi Nwangwu in Awka Anambra state capital on Monday.
”The story is usually that Anambra is safe regarding the COVID-19 infections but how can one really ascertain a state is safe if there is no testing centre anywhere in the state?”he asked.
According to him,testing centres is the first thing a state should set up alongside isolation centres in the battle against this pandemic.
”Yes, the state government is trying but it can definitely do more. It is truly very appalling that a vibrant state like Anambra has no testing centre. Our people need effective tests to know exactly if it is in danger or not. Allowing everyone to walk freely, even though with facemasks, is not ideal if regular tests are not carried out to ascertain our level of contamination.
”Without tests people walk carelessly about, flounting social distancing rules recklessly. Setting up testing centres is long overdue but we can no longer overlook this very important aspect,” Nwangwu stated.
He also disclosed that party stakeholders have contributed N125 million to establish Covid 19 testing centre in the state to ascertain the true status of the state.
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“The PDP Stakeholders in the state made contribution of about N125 millions to build COVID-19 testing centre, starting with the vice presidential candidate of the party during last general election, Mr. Peter Obi with N40 million, the PDP senators representing Anambra with N10 million each, the PDP House of representative members representing Anambra with N5 million each, the PDP House of Assembly members with N1 million each and other stakeholders, including 2021 gubernatorial aspirants all contributing handsomely to the palliatives package” he said.
According to him, there was nothing like political motives regarding the request to set up a testing centre in the state. He also called on the state government and the federal government not to politicise the issue by wasting undue time in allocating space to PDP to set up a testing centre.
”This is not a matter of politics. This is a matter of life and death and we should all work together. The state government can’t do everything, we know and that is the more reason it should shake the hand of assistance being offered to it. Even if it had concluded plans to set up one, having two testing centres in a state is even better, especially if that state is Anambra,” Nwangwu added.
He said the party is serious when it asked the State or the Federal government to give it a location to set up a testing centre in Anambra State within three weeks.
